To the Editor:

While writing a letter to the editor may not be what Chad Nevett had in mind when he suggested that the NDP should “stir shit up,” I think it’s ultimately more productive. As fun as it would be to see Jack Layton unleash a stream of obscenities that would make your mustache curl, I’d rather see him get something done.

After all, the federal NDP is on a bit of a roll right now. After spending years “out in the wilderness,” the NDP moved from being the “barely there party” to being the only party to increase its number of seats in the House in the last election.

And let’s not forget the fact that the NDP pretty much hijacked the federal budget and amended the hell out of it. Although my multi-billion dollar corporation didn’t get the tax break I was looking for, the NDP managed to inject funding into areas wherein Canadians really want to see some results, like foreign aid, affordable housing, and post-secondary education.

Plus, unlike some of the other parties, the NDP has a fully functional and independent youth wing always looking for new ideas. If Nevett really thinks that the NDP is subject only to the control of “old people,” he should come out and tell the dozens of people from Western who recently went to Ottawa to determine party policy. And, for your information, the NDP has run more candidates under the age of 35 than any other party.

Is there anyone else who has a problem with the way the NDP works or who doesn’t think we can win? Come out to a meeting, give the party some of your time and see what happens. You’ll get your chance to stir your shit; we’ll just make sure it’s thrown at the right people.

Nathan King

President, Western New Democrats